“I can’t believe it,” Allman said. “I’ve watched the Olympics for as long as I can remember and athletics has always had such a special part in my heart, and to now be here, be in his moment, it feels so surreal.”

Coming into the Olympics with the second best mark so far in 2021, Allman set the standard with her first throw. That proved to be key when a rain delay suspended the competition after the second throw and disrupted the throwers’ momentum. A strong start was part of the plan, though, for just this reason.

“My coach and I always talk about being able to set the tone right at the start of the competition,” she said. “And to come out with a solid mark like that felt good.”

JP2021.COM - Tokyo Olympics 2020.